Karma Is a Cat.
In our debut newsletter, we chat about Ernest Hemingway, Taylor Swift, DNA kits and so much more. Happy Whisker Wednesday!
Meow! Mao Mao here. I appreciate you subscribing to my newsletter. My name is Kailey Tse-Harlow—creator and writer behind Mao Mao. I aim to provide cat parents, enthusiasts, and everyone in between with fun, exciting, and important news about all things cat-related. In the future, I envision Mao Mao as a thriving and influential brand in the pet space, and I have some big ideas for the brand (more to come later.) I believe it’s essential to spread brand awareness and create a community that’s interested in learning more about their furry companions with a dedication to saving cat lives. We know that cats can also save us in their own unique way.
We are kicking off with some furry furry news for our first week. Here is a brief summary list:
🧬 Popular Feline DNA Company Launches Canine Line
🥣 Shop Halo with Catenary
📖 Ernest Hemingway’s Love for Polydactyl Cats
🐈 Meet Furry Gold’s First Leonardo
🐾 ‘Underdog’ Event @ MSPCA
🧣 Taylor Swift’s Successful Cinematic Weekend
🧬 Basepaws says Woof Woof!
I discovered Basepaws while watching an episode of Shark Tank. The founder and CEO, Anna Skaya, struck a deal with Kevin O'Leary and began their partnership. Basepaws is a petcare genetics company that offers affordable and easy-to-use screening tools. The kit detects early signs of health issues and diseases for felines. It also tracks your cat’s breed, health behavior traits, and habits. In 2022, Basepaws was acquired by biotech giant Zoetis. And just a few weeks ago, they launched their first-ever Dog DNA Kit. 🐶
Basepaws currently has a ✨SALE✨ of $40 OFF all Cat DNA Kits and 43% OFF their Dog DNA Kit. Snag one while you can!
🥣 Who Said Cat Furniture Has To Be Ugly? *Catenary has entered the cat — I mean, chat*
I am thrilled to announce our collaboration with Catenary this week. If you're looking for a modern minimalist approach to feeding your cat, then you won't want to miss this!
Catenary, founded in May 2023, offers a range of cat products that combine minimalism and modern problem-solving to bring you and your furry friend closer together at home. They are equally committed to both aesthetics and cat comfort. Their flagship product, the Halo Cat Bowl, is dishwasher safe, microwavable, ceramic, and, did I mention, wicked stylish? Its elevated design prevents vomiting and indigestion in some cats while simultaneously avoiding whisker fatigue and stress.
I just ordered two bowls for my cats and can't wait to see how they enjoy them!
Photo courtesy of Catenary
In early 2024, Catenary plans to release a cutting-edge cat scratcher and a handful of other products throughout the year. Keep up with Catenary by following them on Instagram. New followers will receive a discount code!
📖 The Hemingway House
You know Ernest Hemingway. You know, the famous author who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 for his book "The Old Man and the Sea"? Or maybe you just remember his name from high school. Hemingway was not only one of the most notable writers on Earth but he was also known for his obsession with polydactyl cats (six-toed cats). That’s right. Only polydactyl cats lived in his household.
Photo courtesy of Vintage Everyday
Sailors back then believed that Polydactyl cats brought good luck and were great at balancing on ships during rough waves. They were also considered better at catching mice. In the 1930s, a sea captain named Stanley Dexter gifted a white Polydactyl cat to Hemingway. He named it Snow White. Many still love and admire Polydactyl cats, and it is Hemingway who was documented as one of the first public figures to do so.
Today, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida, houses approximately 60 polydactyl cats. He named all of his cats after famous people. His estate continues to follow this tradition.
🐈 Meet Furry Gold’s First Leonardo
Introducing Mao Mao’s cat of the week: Leonardo (Leo)
Say hi to Leonardo! The cat that inspired Mao Mao. My firstborn.
Leo was born in Tomsk, Russia. Amid the pandemic and finishing up my last few months of grad school, I decided that I needed to add a cat to my life. I was fortunate enough to adopt him from Catnificent Cattery in May 2021. I flew him from Russia to D.C. and then to Boston to be with me.
About Leo:
is a Golden Marble British Shorthair
hates water but always needs to know what I’m doing in the shower
loves tuna and dairy (especially cheese and mint chocolate chip ice cream)
was born on 12/15/2020
likes to sleep on his back and do the “heart hands” position
would prefer to sleep on my boyfriend’s clothes instead of mine
🐾 Adopt An “Underdog” Fee-Waived Adoption Event @ MSPCA
From October 20-22, 2023, the MSPCA will be celebrating the shelters’ animals that need our love the most — seniors, physically challenged, and last-to-be-chosen pets, whom they are calling “the Underdogs” 💖
Grants and sponsors of this event will be waiving adoption fees for dogs, cats, smallies, pigs, and even roosters!
Learn more here.
If you made it this far, you must really love cats! I’m going to leave you with something fun…
🧣 During its opening weekend, Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" concert film earned around $96 million in the United States and Canada, according to AMC. The logo of her production company features one of her adorable furry companions, Olivia Benson (yes, like the fictional character from Law & Order SVU). “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is scheduled to be released next Friday, October 27, 2023.
Although our world faces numerous humanitarian crises, which have caused much sadness, trauma, and anger, I hope this newsletter brings a glimmer of hope and joy to your day.
Karma is a cat. That’s all from me this week. Let’s make more biscuits next week. Puuurrr for now!
-Mao Mao